A total of 80 percent of New York State voters say the Empire State is a "very good" or "fairly
good" place in which to live, while 18 percent say it's "fairly bad" or "very bad," according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today. And 91 percent of voters rate their own community
as a "very good" or "fairly good" place in which to live. All age groups agree.

When they want to play, 90 percent of New Yorkers say the Empire State is a "very
good" or "fairly good" place for a vacation, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University poll finds. Again, voters of every age group are in general agreement.

In fact, 62 percent of New Yorkers plan to spend time vacationing or sightseeing in the
state this summer and 85 percent would recommend that out-of-state family or friends get in a
New York State of Mind by vacationing here.

A visit to New York City is the top attraction for 21 percent of New Yorkers, including
30 percent of suburban voters, 22 percent of New York City voters and 14 percent of upstate
voters. Other favorites are:

Ocean beaches, 14 percent;

State parks, 13 percent;

Sightseeing, 9 percent;

Niagara Falls, 7 percent.

"We might battle about everything from same-sex marriage to rent control, but we do love
New York, especially our own little corner of the Empire State, and we'd love to have everyone
else come here on vacation," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute.

"Almost two-thirds of New Yorkers are going to spend at least some of their vacation in
the state. The Big Apple and the sandy beaches of Long Island are the big destinations.

"From Jamestown to Montauk, New York beckons tourists and New Yorkers know that
tourism is a big plus for the state economy," Carroll added.

A total of 96 percent of New York State voters say tourism is "very important" or
"somewhat important" to the state's economy.

Gas Prices

The price of gasoline is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem, 70 percent of
New Yorkers say.

As a result of rising gas prices:

49 percent of voters are cutting back on household spending;

53 percent are cutting back on driving;

25 percent are changing summer vacation plans.

While 54 percent of upstate voters and 53 percent of suburban voters are cutting back on
spending, only 41 percent of voters in New York City are cutting back. And while 58 percent of
upstate voters and 57 percent of suburban voters are driving less, only 45 percent of New York
City voters are driving less. Fewer New York City voters are changing their vacation plans.

"Some of us have cut back a bit on vacations and more of us have cut back on driving
and on household expenses because of soaring gasoline prices," Carroll said.

"But subway-riders feel less pain when gas prices rise."

From June 20 - 26, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,317 registered voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

29. How would you rate New York State as a place to live - very good, fairly
good, fairly bad, or very bad?

35. Which of the following do you most like to do in New York State - sightsee,
go to state parks, amusement parks, lake beaches, ocean beaches, New York City,
Niagara Falls or other upstate vacation spots?

36. Which of the following is most important for you when you go on vacation -
visiting places of historical and cultural interest, recreational activities,
fine dining, activities for whole family, or relaxing?